[05/21/09 - 11:34 AM]Brendan Gleeson and Janet Mcteer Star in the HBO Films Drama Into the Storm, Debuting May 31Len Cariou, James D'Arcy and Iain Glen also star in the project, from director Thaddeus O'Sullivan and writer Hugh Whitemore.

[via press release from HBO]

BRENDAN GLEESON AND JANET MCTEER STAR IN THE HBO FILMS DRAMA INTO THE STORM, DEBUTING MAY 31

Cast Also Includes Len Cariou, James D'Arcy And Iain Glen

HBO Films Presents In Association With BBC A Scott Free Production And A Rainmark Films Production Of A Film By Thaddeus O'Sullivan; Written By Hugh Whitemore

"We must remember that we are no longer alone. We are in the midst of a great company. Three quarters of the human race are now moving with us. The whole future of mankind may depend upon our actions and upon our conduct. So far we have not failed. We shall not fail now. Let us move forward steadfastly together into the storm and through the storm."
-- Winston Churchill in a Feb. 15, 1942
radio broadcast on the state of the war

One of the most charismatic wartime leaders in history, Churchill was widely considered a visionary. Often controversial, frequently antagonistic and notably eloquent, he enjoyed a remarkably long career spanning more than 50 years. He became British Prime Minister at the onset of World War II and is regarded as one of the most successful and brilliant PMs Britain has ever had.

For five years, Winston Churchill played perhaps the single most important role in thwarting the Nazis during WWII, his intrepid leadership and rhetoric inspiring millions of Britons and other members of the free world to fight Hitler's Germany to the bitter end.

Following the Allies' success, Britain went to the polls in 1945 to decide their post-war prime minister and ruling party, taking nearly a month to tally all the votes. Incumbent Prime Minister Churchill went on holiday to France with his wife and daughter in anticipation of the election results. INTO THE STORM uses that time as a framework for the story, beginning as Churchill awaits his fate, and looks back at the war years as he heroically guided his beleaguered nation through this difficult and challenging period.

Continuing the story told in HBO's Emmy� winner "The Gathering Storm," INTO THE STORM is set against the backdrop of World War II and offers an intimate look at the making of a nation's hero, whose prowess as a great wartime leader ultimately undermined his political career and threatened his marriage to his lifelong supporter, Clemmie.